View Full Version : Betta: move him or keep him where he is?
I have a betta in a 75 gallon tank along with 5 neon tetras and 5 zebra danios, I just put them in the tank a little over a week ago. The other fish seem to have gotten used to it fine, but the betta is looking stressed out. He's always hiding, and I haven't seen him eat at all. This weekend I'm going to buy him his own little tank, but I'm concerned about leaving him where he is until the tank is cycled enough to put him in it. I have a 1 gallon bowl that I was considering putting him in in the mean time, but I know that bowls are a step above hell for fish, but at the same time I don't want him to die from stress or not eating, whichever comes first. So can anyone tell me if I should leave him where he is, or move him to the bowl in the mean time until I get another tank set up?
phanmc
09-13-2004, 4:20 PM
a 1 gallon bowl should be ok as a temporary home for the betta, just remember to do water changes frequently to keep ammonia levels down. add some decor (fake plants and such) to give him a place to rest and hide.
Regarding your 75 gallon tank, does your filtration system generate alot of current or surface agitation? Most bettas generally dislike strong currents and alot of surface agitation (though mine is weird and likes to hang out at the filter outlet).
Yeah, the filter does create a bit of agitation and a current. I guess that's why he's always on the other side of the tank.
phanmc
09-13-2004, 5:52 PM
If you want to keep the betta in the big tank, try dampening the water current and agitation by putting a sponge at the outlet.
Regarding your 75 gallon tank, does your filtration system generate alot of current or surface agitation? Most bettas generally dislike strong currents and alot of surface agitation (though mine is weird and likes to hang out at the filter outlet).
I find that my betta like the filter outlet, this is a fluval 304, so gives out some power for such a small fish! He rides up and down the tank in that current several times a day :dance
If your big tank is cycled, then use some of its filter media, some gravel, and even some decorations in the new tank you want to get for the betta. Then do a water change in your big tank and add that water to the new tank (so temp, PH, etc is identical to what the betta's used to). You should be able to add the betta immediately and have an almost instant cycle. That's pretty much what I did for my betta tank (10gal), and I never had a problem.